MARTINS FERRY — A group of former high school cheerleaders got the chance this summer to travel across the country and teach youngsters how to excel in the sport of cheerleading.

Martins Ferry graduates MacKenzie Reeb, Sunnie Rubel and Kayce Neely; Union Local graduates Megan Lattocha and Reagen Ricer; and Edison High graduate Shane Sanders all were chosen to be part of the National Cheerleaders Association’s summer camps.

Some of the places they traveled to included Michigan, Indiana, Texas and New York, along with St. Louis, Mo., for NCA training. They also worked camps in most major Ohio cities.

“We had to submit three letters of recommendation, an interview of why we wanted to do it and a video including our skills in tumbling, stunting, jumps and motions,” Sanders said of the process of getting hired.

Neely noted for those who want to continue cheering after high school but don’t want to join a college cheer team, joining the NCA is a good move.

“You get to do the sport you love and you’re getting paid. You get to make a difference in kids’ lives. It’s a life-changer — it makes you feel good at the end of the day,” Neely said.

In addition to working for the NCA during the summer, several in the group already are in college or have graduated.

Reeb, 19, is a 2016 graduate of Martins Ferry High School. She is studying at California University of Pennsylvania to be a physical therapy assistant.

Rubel, 20, is a 2014 graduate of Martins Ferry. She is studying at the Kent State University East Liverpool branch to become an occupational therapy assistant.

Neely, 20, a 2014 graduate of Martins Ferry, is studying exercise physiology at West Liberty University where she also plans to apply for the physician assistant program. She also cheers for WLU.

Sanders, 23, is a 2011 Edison High School graduate. He graduated from Slippery Rock University with a degree in Sports Management. He also cheered at Slippery Rock.

Both Lattocha and Ricer are 2016 graduates of Union Local High School.

Sanders noted he also got the chance to work at the World Championships in Florida this summer. He also is a coach with a competitive cheering team, ONE All-Stars in Wintersville. Neely also is a coach with the Benwood branch of the Pittsburgh Superstars competitive cheering team.

Neely said she remembers years ago getting to participate in a NCA camp locally years ago. But not many schools have hosted a camp lately.

“It’s awesome to finally be part of it. Finally getting to be a staff member … is a dream come true. It’s a huge family. No one trieds to be better than another person,” she said of NCA.

For more information about cheering and camps, the group recommends visiting www.varsity.com.